NFL Draft Scouting Report: Isaiah “Zay” Jones

In the NFL these days, the league has completely changed into a passing focused league. To compete, your team will need the franchise quarterback, and weapons around that guy to consistently put points on the board.

There is a dynamic wide receiver out of East Carolina University by the name of Isaiah Jones that is not getting the attention he deserves. At 6’1”, 197 pounds, he has lights out speed to get separation from any defender. Jones in his first three seasons for the Pirates played mostly as a slot receiver, and proved he is a very dominant there as well. In Jones’ 37 games in his first three seasons, he posted 241 receptions, 2,533 yards, and 15 touchdowns.

Jones in his senior season had very high expectations from coaches, fans, and for himself; Jones lived up to every single one of those expectations, and did some more. Jones changed his game, and played mostly on the outside during his senior season. Playing on the outside, he has classified himself as a versatile playmaker, and one of the best of those in this draft class. In his 12 games this season, Jones had 158 receptions, which led every player in college football by at least 22; Jones also posted 1,746 yards which was the second most in college football, along with his eight receiving touchdowns. It is very easy to tell that Jones has amplified his game to have a versatile game to bring to any scheme, and NFL team.

Jones has very little, if any weakness in his game, and has proved that through his four seasons for the Pirates. One of the biggest attractions to his game for me is his run-after-catch ability. Jones is elusive to a dangerous degree, with a surprising ability to break tackles considering his size is not ideal to do so.
Jones in his 12 games has only recorded under ten receptions twice this year. Jones’ game against South Carolina may have been his most impressive performance where he was one reception shy of the NCAA record with 22 in one game, where he also had 190 receiving yards.

Jones is a very elusive playmaker that could be useful to any team in the NFL. In Jones’ senior season, he has solidified himself as an NFL-caliber receiver with elite talent, skill, and potential. Jones has the statistics, the personality, and the work-ethic to be high on any team’s draft board.

Comparison: Emmanuel SandersWith the size being similar, the two play a very similar game. Jones and Sanders both have great speed, versatility, and are both very elusive. The two are effective on short, intermediate, and deep routes, which makes them both very useful players to any NFL team.